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Number of Barrier-free Public Vehicles Exceeded 2000 in Taipei City with Low-floor Buses Accounted for 50% of All Buses. This Is The Highest Percentage Nationwide and Higher than Japan and South Korea

Taipei City was the first city that introduced barrier-free taxis (currently 30 taxis are available). In addition to 1,706 low-floor buses (including 107 hybrid electric low-floor buses) and 280 special service buses (including 240 special service minibuses, 10 special service buses and 30 long-term care service buses), a total of more than 2,000 barrier-free pubic vehicles are operating throughout Taipei City. These public vehicles are working in coordination with Metropolitan Rapid Train System, and together make up the seamless and intact barrier-free public transportation service network.

Low-floor buses are internationally recognized all-purpose public vehicles. Taipei City Government began to introduce low-floor buses for the elderly, women and children, and people with disabilities in 2007. The low-floor buses have one by one begun to provide service in 2008. Now a total of 1,706 low-floor buses are operating on road. In the second half of 2013, 171 old buses will be replaced with low-floor buses, adding up the total number to 1,877. Taipei City will be the first city in the country to have more than 50% low-floor buses that is, every 1 out of 2 buses on the road is a low-floor bus. This percentage is far higher than the average percentage of low-floor buses out of all buses in the country, 29.77%, and is also higher than the 30% in average in Japan. This suggested that Taipei City Government and bus companies have worked to successfully increase the quality of public transportation service to be in line with international standard. Taipei City Government is expecting to replace all buses with low-floor buses on all bus routes except some routes, on which it is impossible to drive low-floor buses (mountainous areas or ally and lane) in 2016 so Taipei City will be in the leading place among other Asian cities such as Singapore and Seoul that expect to provide complete low-floor bus service in 2020 and 2030 respectively.

Looking after disadvantaged people is a characteristic of a civilized society. Taipei City provides barrier-free public transportation service because we think of those people in need of the service. The core value is to create a transportation service environment that emphasizes on giving precedence out of courtesy, sharing and respect. We could not have achieved this goal without cooperation between governmental institutions and civil organizations and public feedback. We will continue to work on upgrade of barrier-free transportation service, and take into account the needs of different types of users. By integrating various civil resources, coordinating and communicating with relevant governmental institutions, we hope we will be able to provide more diverse, exquisite and considerate transportation service.

Hit:
665

Updated:
2013/10/16 00:58

Reviewed:
2013/10/16 00:58

Source:
Taipei City Public Transportation Office

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